Serif or Sans-Serif? - Page 2

Hellmark · 05-26-2011, 03:40 PM

I've always been partial to serifs.

shanghaichica · 05-26-2011, 03:57 PM

I use the condensed font type on my K3.

ApK · 05-26-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shanghaichica

I use the condensed font type on my K3.

..which is a serif font.

robbw · 05-26-2011, 05:50 PM

Serif for e-ink and printed text.

dwig · 05-26-2011, 06:23 PM

I prefer a serif font, but not one with excessively thin "knife edge" serifs. Also, I prefer a font that is not highly stressed (large difference between the thick and thin strokes), whether serif or sans serif.

On modest resolution displays (e.g. current eink displays like my Kindle) an unstressed serif font (again, like my Kindle's "regular" and "condensed" fonts) works very well, IMHO.

shanghaichica · 05-26-2011, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

..which is a serif font.

I didnt know that thanx. Now I can vote in the poll!

straygator · 05-26-2011, 07:13 PM

Serif, no matter what the medium, unless there's some compelling reason for sans-serif. But I have an old-school journalism background and am used to seeing nothing but newspaper type . . .

carld · 05-26-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viviena

Serif for e-ink ereaders, sans-serif for LCD/backlit ereaders and screens. Not sure why I make those distinctions. The article was interesting though, thanks.

I do the same. I like the serif font on my Kindle, but prefer sans-serif on my desktop. For some reason serif is just harder to read on an LCD.

ApK · 05-26-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carld

I do the same. I like the serif font on my Kindle, but prefer sans-serif on my desktop. For some reason serif is just harder to read on an LCD.

+1. I tried changing my browser to a serif font, and it was a similar experience to changing my kindle to sans-serif. Maybe it has to do with pixel density, or backlight effect?

anamardoll · 05-26-2011, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

+1. I tried changing my browser to a serif font, and it was a similar experience to changing my kindle to sans-serif. Maybe it has to do with pixel density, or backlight effect?

The actual font itself is also very important. The OP link is really cool, if you haven't had a chance to read it, and explains white space density and letter height and so forth all of which can be done "right" or "wrong" in either serif/sans-serif formats. So it's possible that there's more at stake than just the serifiness.

DDHarriman · 05-27-2011, 04:13 AM

Sans-Serif always.

GreenMonkey · 05-27-2011, 05:20 AM

I voted sans-serif - but I use Amasis on the nook. I don't think it's the serif-ness so much as the thickness and such. Light Classic is too squeezed together and light/non-contrasty for me - I'd use Helvetica New over it, which is a sans-serif cont.

But Helvetica New is too big - there's less words on the page. I like something contrasty (a little thick and nice and dark) but not too wide (less words on page).

I don't read on my NC much...on the Nook app I prefer Amasis also - but I like AscenderSans a lot also.

Sweetpea · 05-27-2011, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viviena

Serif for e-ink ereaders, sans-serif for LCD/backlit ereaders and screens. Not sure why I make those distinctions.

Same here.

mikegetz · 05-27-2011, 07:08 AM

sans. whenever possible.

i guess it comes from years of staring at the intarwebz ... i bet if you asked me 15 years ago, i would have said serif.

garrybuck · 05-27-2011, 11:20 AM

There are raging arguments on which is 'better' for speed and comprehension. It's not been definitively proven one way or the other. Here's both sides of the argument, if you're interested:

http://alexpoole.info/which-are-more...erif-typefaces

Personally, I prefer serif when I'm reading large amounts of text.

View Poll Results: Serif or Sans-Serif Preference?
Serif (with the small finishing strokes)	92	56.10%
Sans-Serif (without the small finishing strokes)	51	31.10%
Don't Care / Don't Notice	21	12.80%
Voters: 164. You may not vote on this poll

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05-26-2011, 03:40 PM	#16
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,590 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	I've always been partial to serifs.

05-26-2011, 03:57 PM	#17
shanghaichica Guru Posts: 991 Karma: 5782970 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Scribe,Kindle Oasis 3, iPad Pro 11,15 Pro Max,iPad mini 7,colorsoft	I use the condensed font type on my K3.

05-26-2011, 05:50 PM	#19
robbw Connoisseur Posts: 60 Karma: 567618 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: K2, K3	Serif for e-ink and printed text.

05-26-2011, 06:23 PM	#20
dwig Wizard Posts: 1,613 Karma: 6718541 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Paradise (Key West, FL) Device: Current:Surface Go & Kindle 3 - Retired: DellV8p, Clie UX50, ...	I prefer a serif font, but not one with excessively thin "knife edge" serifs. Also, I prefer a font that is not highly stressed (large difference between the thick and thin strokes), whether serif or sans serif. On modest resolution displays (e.g. current eink displays like my Kindle) an unstressed serif font (again, like my Kindle's "regular" and "condensed" fonts) works very well, IMHO.

05-26-2011, 07:13 PM	#22
straygator Connoisseur Posts: 88 Karma: 33904 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cayman Islands Device: Kindle	Serif, no matter what the medium, unless there's some compelling reason for sans-serif. But I have an old-school journalism background and am used to seeing nothing but newspaper type . . .

05-27-2011, 04:13 AM	#26
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	Sans-Serif always.

05-27-2011, 05:20 AM	#27
GreenMonkey DRM hater Posts: 945 Karma: 2066176 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Michigan Device: Nook ST glow, Kindle Voyage	I voted sans-serif - but I use Amasis on the nook. I don't think it's the serif-ness so much as the thickness and such. Light Classic is too squeezed together and light/non-contrasty for me - I'd use Helvetica New over it, which is a sans-serif cont. But Helvetica New is too big - there's less words on the page. I like something contrasty (a little thick and nice and dark) but not too wide (less words on page). I don't read on my NC much...on the Nook app I prefer Amasis also - but I like AscenderSans a lot also.

05-27-2011, 07:08 AM	#29
mikegetz Professional Nerd Posts: 84 Karma: 280 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Middletown, OH Device: Nook WiFI, KOBO, Pandigital Novel Personal	sans. whenever possible. i guess it comes from years of staring at the intarwebz ... i bet if you asked me 15 years ago, i would have said serif.

05-27-2011, 11:20 AM	#30
garrybuck Connoisseur Posts: 64 Karma: 69964 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle	There are raging arguments on which is 'better' for speed and comprehension. It's not been definitively proven one way or the other. Here's both sides of the argument, if you're interested: http://alexpoole.info/which-are-more...erif-typefaces Personally, I prefer serif when I'm reading large amounts of text.

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